None of them looks like Archie.
Barry has them running sprints, practicing their footwork, passing the ball back and forth. Troy Everest shows up ten minutes late, and runs laps as punishment. But after forty-five minutes, there are no other late arrivals.
He’s not bloody here.
I pull out my phone, checking it for the millionth time. A ton of messages. Several missed calls. But nothing from Archie. When I call him, it just goes straight to voicemail.
I dial Mia’s number. It rings three times, and then I’m met with a curt, “What?”
“I just wanted to let you know he’s not shown up to training.”
Mia laughs harshly. “Colour me fucking surprised.”
“Mia…” I trail off, because I’m not entirely sure what to say. “I’m… I’m really very sorry. I am.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Come on, I am. You don’t deserve this. If you need anything-”
“I’m fine, Dom.” And she hangs up.
“Shit,” I hiss through my teeth. I watch the lads training for a few more minutes, then decide I’ve had enough of this day, and get to my feet, making my way through the stands. I swing past my office to grab my things, checking my phone again as I stride past Sarah’s desk.
“I’m off,” I tell her. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Mr Graves, your ex-wife called.”
I turn back to Sarah with a suppressed groan. “Which one?”
“Andrea.”
Archie’s mother. Of course.“Great. Thanks for letting me know.”
Sarah gives me a sympathetic nod. “Not a problem. I’ll try to remember to say which one in future.”
“Bless you for that. Don’t stay too late.”
Gordon is pulling up with my car just as I walk outside, new headlights glowing. He kills the engine and climbs out, hurrying across the parking lot to my side under the roof.
“Mechanic told me to take it for a test-drive, the wiring in these is apparently very moody,” he says, handing me the keys.
“Thanks for that.”
“Didn’t show up, did he?”
“No.” I clutch the keys in my hand and shake my head. “No, he didn’t. And now his mother’s called me, so I have that to look forward to when I get home.”
“Brilliant.” Gordon leans against the wall with a sigh. “I wonder, a young man like him, bright career, world at his feet - what’s he thinking when he throws it all away?”
“Not bloody much apparently.”
“No.” Gordon frowns at me. “But, you know, what is it? What sets a man off to just destroy his life like that?” He shakes hishead. “Anyway, for now we can contain it, but this isn’t going to stay undercover for long. At the latest, by the next game, we’ve got a PR disaster on our hands.”
“I know.” I clutch the keys harder in my hand. “He’s really going to bring it down on all of us.”
We say our goodbyes, and I take a deep breath in the car. Which is promptly interrupted by someone knocking on the window. My father waves, then begins to open the car door.
“What excellent timing!” He tries to lift his oxygen tank, and I quickly climb out of the car again, hurrying around to help him. “You can give me a lift home.”
